Petey|Pup by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

While Maggie Tello Case grew up in a family of artists, she did not consider herself one until much later.

“I never thought of myself as an artist growing up because I didn’t really draw or paint,” says the 41 year-old lifelong Riverside resident.

Tello Case learned to sew from her mother at a young age. She explains that she was always altering clothing or making skirts and dresses without patterns. Fabric would go on to become the foundation of her art.

Fabric artist Maggie Tello Case, is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Denke Edwards)

Frida de las Flores by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Pink Coyote Moon by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Owl and Pussycat by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Que Quince?! by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Cuervo de Cordova by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Sol y Luna by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Three Friends by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Frida Venadita by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

Petey|Pup by Riverside fabric artist Maggie Tello Case. Case is part of the Elemental Sisterhood collective, which will have a show open on Feb. 1, 2018, in Riverside. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Tello Case)

“I always was what you’d consider crafty and creative,” she says. “It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I realized that art isn’t just formal painting, it’s really whatever you decide it is as the artist.”

Tello Case collects found, vintage and reclaimed fabric, turning it into wildly imaginative pieces of art. She says that vintage textiles are of particular interest to her because of the way they seem to have personalities of their own.

“I mean, we all have memories of grandma’s calico apron, or your childhood Mickey Mouse bedspread, or that favorite outfit you wore to the 6th grade dance, right?” she asks. “Or is that just me? I love using fabric that evokes a feeling of nostalgia.”

In 2009, Tello Case began participating in downtown Riverside’s Artswalk, selling Frida Kahlo dolls and stuffed animals made from vintage fabric. Cosme Cordova, the owner of Division 9 Gallery, saw her work and encouraged her to continue creating. He soon invited her to exhibit as part of a textile art group show.

Tello Case’s work has gone on to be seen at the Chaffey Community Art Museum, Norco City College Art Museum, Back to the Grind, Urge Pallete, Riverside Art Museum and the Riverside County Administration Center as part of the Artscape exhibit.

Much of Tello Case’s inspiration comes from pop culture, but she says that her Latino heritage and growing up in Riverside also play key roles in her work.

“But I think my main inspiration is color,” she says. “It is the thing I gravitate toward in everything I do, be it my hair, my clothing or my pink kitchen.”

In 2013, Tello Case joined Cynthia Huerta, Selena Wilson, Erin Maxwell and Kiandra Jimenez in creating the Riverside-based artist collective, Elemental Sisterhood. The group developed while in the brainstorming stages of a collaborative show called “The Nature of Women” at Division 9. In 2015, Tello Case, Huerta and Wilson did “Synchronicity,” another show together at Division 9.

“We decided that this was a movement that we wanted to keep going, so in 2017 we invited six new members to join us,” says Tello Case. “The idea is to keep growing and creating an inclusive collective that encourages each other to pursue our artistic visions and create art to share with our community.”

Tello Case says that the group would like to eventually grow to the point where they can offer regular seminars and art classes.

“We have quite a ways to go to get to that point, but we are all strong, tenacious and driven women, and together we can accomplish much,” she says.

On the Feb. 1 Riverside Artswalk, Elemental Sisterhood will open their next show at Division 9. “Light/Dark” features a large collaborative piece, as well as individual pieces by Tello Case, Huerta and Wilson, as well as new members Angela Asbell, Belvia Bailey, Crystal Edwards, Melissa McCluskey, Rachel J. Murrilo and Tina Pesch. The show will also have a closing reception on Feb. 23. The gallery is at 3850 9th St. in Riverside.

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